(Aspen’s POV)
The knock startled me awake.
At first, I thought it was part of a dream. A sharp sound cutting through sleep. Then it came again.
I sucked in a breath and opened my eyes.
For half a second, I didn’t remember where I was.
Then I saw the dashboard. The fogged windows. The dark outline of the community center beyond the glass.
And then I saw him.
Slade Mercer stood outside my car.
My heart slammed so hard it hurt.
He was close enough that I could see the tension in his jaw, the shadows under his eyes, the way his shoulders were squared like he’d been holding himself together by force alone.
I didn’t move.
Neither did he.
Then he knocked again, softer this time.
I swallowed and unlocked the door, pushing it open slowly. Cold air rushed in, sharp and unforgiving.
“Wh
